What's In My Bag

1. The purse :: This was actually at one point my Mom's purse, and once she got tired of it I knew I wanted it. I really love cross-body purses, and this is the perfect size. 


2. My phone :: My goodness, I love this little phone. I never thought I needed a smart phone, but now that I have one I really love it. 


3. My other phone :: This could get a bit confusing, but my usual phone doesn't get the best reception in some places around here, but this little TracFone does. So it goes with me when I'm driving, in case something goes wrong.


4. iPod Touch and Hello Kitty headphones :: I've had this little baby for a few years, and it really is the best. I'm basically just in love with Apple products, and will testify for them forever. This little thing has been through wars. And I love these headphones. They were a present from Hunter, and they're just too cute.


5. Inhaler :: I try and remember to bring this in my purse as much as possible. I haven't had an asthma attack in years, but sometimes I experience wheezing. So I bring it just in case I have to go through a candle aisle or something.


6. Benadryl :: Hunter likes to make fun that I'm pretty much a walking pharmacy, but lately my eyes keep puffing up and the only thing that helps is Benadryl so I've been carrying it around the past couple weeks.


7. Travel Contact Case :: How cute is this thing? Inside it has a little bottle of contact solution and a contact case. 


8. Glasses :: I never used to carry these around, but when driving the moped sometimes my contacts dry out and I need them. So here they are.


9. Aleve :: See? Pharmacy. I get migraines a lot, so these are pretty mandatory sometimes. 


10. Gum :: The current favorite gum around here lately is 5's Rain. I'm such a mint-lover and spearmint is my ultimate favorite!


11. Hello Kitty Sun-Glasses :: Are these cute or what? 

May Day

Oh. My. Goodness. Yet another month is gone. Where in the world is all the time going? Ha. I sound like an old woman. But, seriously. May is over with. So what are some of the big accomplishments on the blog and elsewhere this month?

On The Blog-

• Ivory Giraffes had 37 posts in May (Post 37 coming later today!!)! And 2,596 page views, which is almost a thousand more than we've ever had, 85 comments, and a few new readers. I forgot to keep track, so sorry about that. As of today there are 49 of us, so dangerously close to 50! 
• 20 Things- 2.0  went awesomely! Check it out to learn 20 things you probably didn't need to know about me!
• I did a guest post for Michelle. 
• Ivory Giraffes became affiliated with Shabby Apple! Which is basically just a fancy way to say that if you click the Shabby Apple button on my blog and purchase something, I'll get a commission. Which is rad.
• I talked a lot about being happy. 

Off The Blog-

• I turned eighteen! 
• Can we say DONE WITH HIGHSCHOOL FOR LIFE?
• I started working, and driving a moped.
• I drank my first Starbucks and had my first taste of Panera. 
• I also ran into a barbed wire fence, resulting in cutting up my leg.

All in all, what a great month. And many more to come, I hope! 

What I Wore// Nemesis

Skinny Jeans= Delia's; Grey Cami= JC Penney; Black Cardigan- Walmart!!; Peacock Scarf- ModCloth (Noey); TOMS 

It has become the time of year where I wish to remain mostly naked. Seriously, as much as I love clothes they are my nemesis (Somehow I spelled that right on the first go. I'm so awesome.) in every sense of the word. Sometimes I think about joining a nudist colony (Are there really such things? It seems people make it a joke... Are nudist colonies real things?) just so I don't have to put on clothes. Or at least just run around in my underwear all day. I suppose that's what bathing suits are for, but even bathing suits are not quite as comfy as a pair of my favorite Victoria's Secret panties (I am not averse to the word "panties". Some people are, but I am not. So deal.). Just know that today I'm actually not wearing what you're seeing... I'm basically trying to soothe my want of being naked by wearing yoga pants. Same thing, right? But, I did wear this Sunday. So it counts, amirite? 

On a completely unrelated note I'm trying to make a little hair tutorial for you hotties, and I want to know if you prefer video tutorials or picture/written out tutorials. Your pick, hot stuff. So make a good decision! 

Okay, I better sign off now as I'm obviously in a crazy mood and who knows what I'll say next. Plus, I really need to finish up some homework so the boy can get his butt over here in a few hours and we can have cuddle time! Be jealous. As you sit in your hot house, reading this somewhat weird post and asking yourself why in the world you're even still reading; I will be having the best time with my one and only.

Never Grow Up

I always seem to pick the most inopportune times to go places. Such as deciding to go to the beach when it's cloudy, windy, and cold. In any case, I still had fun being all by my lonesome. I'm generally pretty okay with being alone, but I'd always rather have the boy along with me. Oh, well. What can you do?

I've just begun reading Peter Pan and I have to say I'm really liking it. As a kid I of course saw the Disney movie multiple times, but still, nothing beats reading the book. Some of the things that Peter says are just so poetic and lovely. Lovely thoughts. I especially like the idea of staying young forever, as horrible as that probably sounds. I don't want to grow up. Sure, I want to live on my own. Have a family (No worries, Mama. In the very distant future.). Do adult-like things. But grow up? Never. There's a certain wonderfulness in having a childlike love of the world. Of being hopelessly optimistic. I wish to remain young-like forever, even when I'm old and grey. 

You Look Beautiful Tonight

This weekend was basically just a blast. I started working (No kidding. This is actually a wonderful thing), went camping on Friday, worked some more, went to the local graduation, spent some much-needed time with the boy, and spent a day walking around Mackinaw City with Tanner and Noey.

To elaborate on the whole graduation part, it was an interesting experience. I've only ever been two high school graduations and both were at very large schools. I've mentioned time and time again how small of a place I live in, and the school is no exception. It was a pretty interesting ceremony and I'm glad I went. I was telling Tanner that although I would never want to change my home schooled education, it's sort of sad in a way to see a lot of friends up there receiving their diplomas together while you sit and watch. I can't imagine how it would be for some of the people who actually had attended that school and had to leave for various reasons. 

I was really quite glad I got to see my good, old friend, Ben graduate. That kid has been in my life for, well, forever. And I'm so proud of the person he's become. Congrats, Ben! After all the world has thrown at both of us, we're still standing. As individuals, and best of all, as friends. And, not only are we standing, we're thriving. 

Grab Life By The...

So what's going on in the daily life of this kid? Oh, nothing much, really. But in case you're dying to know about the oh-so-lame life of Hannah I'll tell you. Cause, I'll do anything for you guys. (Okay. Maybe not dance around naked or something. But nearly anything else.) 

Today is my first day of work for the year, and I'm really excited about driving up to Mackinaw with my little moped. Boy, oh boy, do I love that gas mileage. It's basically prime. 

I got brand-spanking-new glasses yesterday. Which is actually super duper exciting if you're as blind as I am. I was happily surprised at how much clearer my vision is in these glasses rather than my old ones. I really hadn't realized how bad my prescription had gotten. Also, it's a pretty awesome thing that my eye hasn't  gotten puffy in the last week! Hip hip hooray for the little stuff!

Hunter is officially done with school for the year! Which is basically awesome for me because now I get him much more often. Which equals a very happy Hannah. I sincerely cannot get enough of that boy. Seriously. He's wonderful.

I've been listening to a lot of Pandora Radio lately. It's the perfect thing to listen to while addressing a trillion-and-four graduation invitations. Currently my favorite station is She & Him with Joshua Radin in a close second... or maybe Elvis. 

I went camping last night with Casie, which was super fun. Her and my other cousin, Kati, woke me up at six screaming about a huge spider. I, of course, couldn't see it because (as said earlier) I'm practically blind. All in all it was a pretty fun experience. Except for peeing in the woods. I'm not a huge fan of that. Okay, scratch that. I'm not a fan of it at all. 

My dog is really weird. I'm not entirely sure why but she has this obsession with licking pillows. Creepy, right? She's sitting next to me just licking one of our pillows like crazy. No one knows exactly why she loves licking them so much, but it's one of her favorite things. Also, my cat is as cute as ever. Seriously. Also, I really want a hedgehog. If anyone wants to send one to my house, feel free. 

I've found that being eighteen really isn't that awesome. There really isn't anything spectacular that I can do that someone a year younger than me can't. Except get a tattoo... maybe I should do that. Ha. Who am I kidding? I don't want a tattoo. 

Okay, well that should be enough rambles to get you people through your day. And it wasted some time for me that otherwise would have been dull. Annnnd, I'll see you on Monday, John.*

*If you know what this is from, I will love you forever. And we can get married. And have beautiful, little intellectual babies who read Jane Austen by the time they're five. For realsies. 

What I Wore// Lay 'Em Down

Grey & Black Dress- JC Penney (Noey); Hair- Reverse Roll; Nailpolish- Sally Hansen Hard As Nails Hard-core Party

I really love how easy it is to wear a dress in the warmer months. It's basically heaven. No tights to worry about ripping, no cardigans to forget in warm buildings. Just a simple little dress and BAM! you're done. No pants, extra breeze. It's prime. I'm really loving driving around on my little moped when it's warm with a dress on. It's just so freeing. But, then again, I've always been a motorcycle kind of girl.

Tomorrow I start working again (woot! woot! for a cash flow!) and I'm pretty excited. Especially excited about driving this little baby. The fact that I get 100 miles to the gallon is about the best thing in the universe. 

Lately my hair has been looking sort of reddish. I usually get naturally red highlights during the summer, but this year it seems to be out in full force. But, it got me thinking... 

If I were to turn into ginger would that mean I lost my soul, or never had one? 

Kidding, kidding of course. I'm actually so freakishly jealous of "ginger" hair. If I could pick any hair color in the world it would be red. Though with my skin tone I'd look a little funny. 

Mr. Blue

Summer is creeping up on us folks here in Northern Michigan, and I for one couldn't be happier. I love everything about summer. From the heat, to the beach, to the simplistic outfits worn. Everything. 

Yesterday while my mom was out and about doing things Tanner asked us (Noey, Jadi, and me) if we'd like to go to the beach with him and his mom. We of course said yes, and within the hour found ourselves on the lakeshore. It's a little buggy down there right now, but it reminds me of what's yet to come. The long days at the lake. Laying in the sand with the boy while the sun browns our skin. Nights full of bonfires and plenty of time for doing absolutely anything we want. 

The past few days have been nice and warm, but I can't help but feel like it's playing a trick on us. I've even been able to take a few nice little moped rides where I didn't end up freezing my rear off. Summer is a'comin and I can't wait! 

Build a House on a Mountain Making Everybody Look Like Ants

I'm such a lover of music, which is probably a good thing seeing as that's what I'll be studying in college. Like everyone else in the world I'm obsessed with Pandora Radio and right now my favorite station is "She & Him". I'm pretty sure I'll be playing it during my graduation party. Anywho, these are some of my most recent favorite finds. I can't even pick a favorite out of them all! 

Link up with some of your favorite music! I pretty much listen to anything. Folk, country, screamo, classical, rock, pop. But never rap. I don't do rap. 


I really don't like posting more than once a day, but what the heck? Let's get out of my comfort zone, now shall we? 

You're the Apple of My Eye

Positivity is a life-choice. It seems like the world we live in is so negative all the time. Everything is just so horrible. So-and-so cut me off in traffic. She talked about me behind my back. I had to push my brand-new moped for a mile, uphill. It seems like everyone, including myself, puts a negative spin on practically everything. The thing is, we have so much to be thankful for. So much to be happy about. Yet we ignore it, and zoom in on all the bad stuff. 

We make excuses for ourselves, we're this way because of this circumstance in our life. If this thing wouldn't have happened to us, we wouldn't be this way. But, it's time to stop making excuses for ourselves. Don't you want a choice in how you live your life? I'm not going to let my present circumstances determine my present behavior. I'm just not. Not anymore. 

It's time for change. It's time to live in freedom. The freedom that comes along with joy and optimism. I'm sick and tired of being chained to myself, to my thoughts and fears. It's a brand new day, and I'm going to remind myself of all the things that I need to be joyful about. There are so many. 
I know that this isn't a revolutionary thought, and I know that you've probably heard it before. But it's still true. I find myself so hung up in petty things, and I let those things ruin my day. And that's just plain stupid. There is no reason for me to be negative. I can rise against what's happening and be happy anyways. And that doesn't mean that I'm ignoring the facts, ignoring the bad stuff that's going on and pretend life is perfect. No. It means that I'm going to be aware of crappy stuff but I'm not going to let it consume me and determine who I am as a person. 

What I Wore// Bethel Bound

Brad is drinking lemonade or something. Not beer. Also, I apologize for how blurry the picture of Hunter is. 

So. I'm eighteen now. In my mind eighteen seems so much nicer than seventeen, mainly because I'm fond of even numbers rather than odd. But in reality eighteen really isn't too different from seventeen, except in the fact that I can officially rent movies from my favorite store. Pretty spectacular, eh? 

My whole "birthday weekend" was pretty uneventful, really. It started Thursday with me driving back down to Bethel (Yes. Again.) for registration. Friday I registered for all my classes, Aerobics being one of them. Seriously, it was either Aerobics or Weight Lifting, so I broke down and signed up for Aerobics. Pretty uneventful and boring really. But, I'm officially signed up for everything which is pretty awesome if I do so myself! 

But it was pretty nice being with Hunter on Saturday and Sunday. The kid sort of makes me happier, and he makes me want to be happier. I ended up having a pretty decent birthday, and whole weekend really. With everything though, turning eighteen, registering for classes, I realize that I really am going away. I'm leaving. And all these things remind me more and more often that my Daddy isn't here to do these things with me. Which isn't okay. I'm not going to pretend it's all okay, and I don't mind. It's not okay, but I have to deal with it. It's life. It goes on. But it going on doesn't change anything, doesn't change the facts. The facts being that it's been two years yesterday since my Daddy died. 
Life isn't perfect. My life isn't perfect. But it is my life. It's all mine. Really, that's all we have, isn't it? Our own lives. Our story. Everything else in the world you have to share, and it isn't yours forever. But my life story. It's no one else's but mine. It makes me want to live a great life, make my story good. You know? Or maybe I'm blabbering. As per usual. Anyways, I just want to embrace my life story. The good. The bad. The incredibly depressing. 

P.S. Thing number 20 is that I like even numbers a trillion times better than odd. They even sound nicer, not to mention that they're easier to work with. 

20 Things 2.0- Thing 19

Source: thewhitestgurlyouknow.tumblr.com via Hannah on Pinterest

I'm in love with horrible TV shows. Anything from Mobwives, to Toddlers & Tiaras, to Glee and Secret Life of the American Teenager. Everything horrible, I love it. 

We're Young and Beautiful

I feel as if I haven't really talked about Hunter in awhile, and maybe that's because he's been so busy these past couple of weeks. Or months, rather. The kid is go, go, go. All the time, and I can hardly keep up with him. (Who am I kidding? I can't keep up with him at all.) 

I'm away in Indiana right now, and he's at track regionals. I wish I could be with him. To cheer him on. I suspect that that's how it's going to be a lot in the next four years. But, it's alright. I have this faith in him as person, and him and I as a togetherness. He's going to be wonderful today, I just know it. The boy is one of the most determined (and stubborn, and committed, and competitive) people I know, and I'm sure he's going to do fine today. More than fine. Phenomenal. Spectacular. I'll be silently cheering in my head during registration for Hunter.

I've been reading John Green's Will Grayson, Will Grayson and last night I came across a passage that reminded me so much of Hunter I could scream:

I feel like my life is so scattered right now. Like it's all these small pieces of paper and someone's turned on the fan. But talking to you makes me feel like the fan's been turned off for a little bit. Like things could actually make sense. You completely unscatter me. And I appreciate that so much. 

Okay, I'll cut it with the mushy-gushy crap and let you people get back to your normal daily lives. 

20 Things 2.0- Thing 18

Source: toppics.mooo.com via Marijane on Pinterest

I really love pickles. And I find it extremely odd that some people can't stand them at all! I'm serious. I could probably eat a whole jar if I was allowed to. Especially Dill. Mm. Mm. I love me some Dill Pickles.   

"I got a pickle. I got a pickle. I got a pickle. Hey, hey, hey, hey."

20 Things 2.0- Thing 17

This month is just flying by! I only have three more things to go until the end of this little series do-hickey. 
Anyways, so yes. I'm a freak. Start talking about how nasty I am riiiiight... NOW. 

I'm As Eloquent As An Elephant

My grad party seems to be coming up increasingly fast and I still don't have all of my cards made (anyone wanna come help me out?). But, I now have some really cool serving thingers. "Thingers" meaning depression glass! How pretty is this stuff? And all for a really great price! All seven pieces for $25 (I also got a Pyrex cup for a dollar!!!)! I'm slowly collecting some pretty glass pieces, and someday I'm going to have the coolest house with the most wicked glassware. 

I'm get really antsy for my party to just be done, now. Does that sound bad? It's just I'm really not excited to talk to a bunch of people and explain a trillion times what a Music Therapist is. I just want to have it be done and over with and get on with my meager life. Again, that probably sounds bad. I'm just not a huge party person, and graduation parties are one of my worst. Topped only by baby/wedding showers. I never want a baby shower, they're just a vehicle for people to guess how much you weigh and other forms of torture. Plus, you always have to play those stupid games. 

Parties just seem like so much work for two to four hours of your life. But, at least mine will be pretty and filled with depression glass and mason jars! 

20 Things 2.0- Thing 16

Source: jacintogvallegr.tumblr.com via Toshiko on Pinterest

I really don't like cake. Chocolate cake, birthday cake, cupcakes, any kind of cake... well, except for pound cake. I like pound cake, oh, and cheesecake. But those are totally different kinds of cake. I much prefer pie to anything else! 

The Day Is Brighter Here With You

What a beautiful day out today! I'm so glad I'm no longer stressed like yesterday. Even though some not fun things happened last night (running into a barbed wire fence with a lawn mower which resulted in me tearing up my legs.) today seems to be much brighter and all around happier. I went to the eye doctor and I'm quite excited about getting myself some new glasses. I've had the same ones for two years now, and I'm in need of a change. Also, on Saturday my Mother let me get a "Wreck This Journal" and I'm so excited about thoroughly wrecking this sucker! Jib and I "wrecked" a few pages today, and we're quite liking our peacock! 
You know those days that just feel wonderful, even though there's not even a specific reason? Yeah, that's today for me. The temperature is perfect. The sky is perfect. I'm reading "The Outsiders" and I've played the piano at my leisure. It's just a good day, you know? Maybe I'll take a nap now in the sun, now. 
I shall leave you all now with a quote I found on Pinterest:

And losing your way on a journey is unfortunate, 

But losing your reason for your journey is a fate more cruel. 

-H.G. Wells


P.S. Go check out my guest post I wrote up for Michelle while she's away! 

20 Things 2.0- Thing 15

I'm actually really nervous putting up a video of me singing. I'm not entirely sure as to why, but I am. Even though I sing in front of people all the time, it's way different putting it up on the Internet for forever. Ya'know? 

What I Wore// Practically Perfect in Every Way

White T- Thrifted; Floral Skirt- Candie's; Belt- JC Penney; Grey Heels- Payless; 

What I had originally wanted to say with this post was all about being stressed out... cause I was. And am. But they really don't go with these pictures. After I wrote all that out I started making some videos for upcoming posts, and then took outfit pictures. And suddenly I was happy. Sometimes I just need to goof around and forget about all the obligations I have waiting for me. Just relax, take some goofy pictures, and have fun with life. 

Being a goofball didn't take away the fact that I still am stressed about finishing school, and starting college in a few months. It didn't take away the fact that I'm still stressed out about trying really hard to not stress Hunter out. But it did make me calm down a bit. I feel like these past couple weeks I just keep talking about how stressed I am, and it's true, but I just need more moments where I relax some. 

So, I'm gonna take off these completely adorable heels. Rid myself of my red lips, and throw on some gym shorts and a baggy t-shirt. And go relax. 

PS- This outfit was inspired by Beth's I Could Be A Model post! Pretty fun, eh?